"I am delighted to have both Minister Maehara of Japan and Minister Kim of the Republic of Korea here for these consultations and this historic trilateral meeting that underscores the strength of our shared commitment to advancing regional peace, prosperity, and stability. These discussions illustrate the importance of the deep bilateral relationships that the United States has with Japan and South Korea, as well as the value of the partnership between Japan and South Korea. Such strong relationships are the foundation for the unified position that our countries are taking with respect to North Korea.

"We all agree that North Korea's provocative and belligerent behavior jeopardizes peace and stability in Asia. We are deeply concerned by its unprovoked attack on the island of Yeonpyeong, resulting in the loss of South Korean lives. On behalf of the American people, I would like to convey our sympathies to the victims and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We want the people of South Korea to know that we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you, and we are deeply committed to your defense.

"The minister and I share the view that the attack by the North Koreans violates the Armistice Agreement of 1953; that North Korea's provocative and belligerent behavior threatens us all, and that it will be met with solidarity from all three countries.

"The attack is the latest in a series of North Korean provocations. It has disclosed a uranium enrichment program that violates UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, as well as North Korea's commitments under the September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. And the sinking of the Cheonan, killing 46 South Korean sailors, deepened North Korea's international isolation.

"From day one of the Obama Administration, we have made clear that North Korea needs to change. The international community has repeatedly presented North Korean leadership with a path toward greater engagement and integration, but thus far they have chosen the path of confrontation and isolation. The path to a better relationship and a secure and prosperous future is still open to North Korea if it makes the right choices. We remain committed to seeking opportunities for dialogue. But we will not reward North Korea for shattering the peace or defying the international community.

"This trilateral meeting reaffirmed the steps that North Korea must take in order for a resumption of Six-Party Talks to produce results. North Korea must improve relations with the Republic of Korea and cease its provocative behavior. North Korea must also comply with its international obligations and take concrete steps to implement its denuclearization commitments under the September 2005 Joint Statement.

"As part of our comprehensive strategy going forward, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen will lead a delegation to South Korea tonight to enhance coordination on strategic deterrence. He will then visit Tokyo. Next week, I will be sending a high-level team to Asia to follow up on today's meeting.

"The ministers and I are also in close consultation with China and Russia. I have emphasized to my Chinese colleagues that China, as a vital partner in maintaining regional stability, a country with unique and strong ties with North Korea, and chair of the Six-Party Talks, has a special role to play in helping to shape North Korea's behavior. We will continue to work closely with Beijing, Moscow, and the rest of the international community to fully implement UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874.

"Last night, President Obama spoke with Chinese President Hu. They reaffirmed the importance of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. And we appreciate Beijing's initiative to propose an emergency Six-Party gathering. However, we first need an appropriate basis for the resumption of talks. Any effort, of course, must start with North Korea ceasing all provocative and belligerent behavior.

"The U.S. treaty alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea have been the foundation for peace and stability in Asia for decades, and the Japan-South Korea partnership helps form a triangle of stability and cooperation. The ministers and I reaffirmed our steadfast commitments under our respective defense treaties. In addition, on Friday, the Republic of Korea and the United States, completed negotiations on a landmark Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement that will further strengthen the bonds between our two countries.

"These strong bilateral relationships are now enhancing our trilateral cooperation, as well as all of our countries' relationships with China. The United States is encouraged by steps that China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have taken to deepen their bilateral ties, because we believe that strong relationships among all four countries are an essential element of peace and stability in Asia.

"The ministers and I also released a joint trilateral statement that provides a framework to enhance regional cooperation and collaboration. It articulates key principles for expanding trilateral cooperation not only on the Korean Peninsula, but in the Lower Mekong, supporting Middle East -- the Middle East peace process, enforcing UN sanctions to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions. And most importantly, we are in agreement to continue working closely together and to hold additional regular trilateral interactions. There is a lot at stake and we are committed to working through all the challenges that we face together"

You can read the full transcript of the Secretary's remarks with the Foreign Ministers here.

Comments

Comments

either62

December 7, 2010

E. writes:

Nkorean its a global issue

Aaron

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Wisconsin, USA

December 6, 2010

Aaron in Wisconsin writes:

A trade agreement and a possible war makes Korea a very valuble source of capital gain for U.S.A. however the shadow of communism is just around the corner in China. It wouldn't be that hard for Chinese infantry to bolster the N.Korean defenses. God save us all.

palgye

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South Korea

December 7, 2010

Palgye in South Korea writes:

Fugu is considered a threat just a threat.

(The leadership of the hearing to be very concerned about retaliation think.)

As far as my personal, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the North is the difference between yeonpyeong island, the Japanese surprise attack was going to take the hegemony of the Pacific Ocean, the North does not have any power, even for a few of the attacks, there is no counter I remember (not in fmr President Bill Clinton) promised (?) was a surprise attack, to be defeated by fighting back, knowing the absolute feast - billed as local gangster bravado - his opponent's body, which scared the negative image of blowfish I think we should threaten. If you do not eat fugu, and very delicious food, professional chef sonjilhamyeon think. In winter, I think the more delicious.

War, but again that - at most 7-8 years, but - this idea that I think we should not let it hurt. (Now that's not the Chinese government, is to exploit China's hegemony in Northeast Asia are likely to degenerate into a tool to think.)

davisparker

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California, USA

December 9, 2010

Davis in California writes:

The three countries are trying to finalize a date for the meeting between South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Eric

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New Mexico, USA

December 9, 2010

Eric in New Mexico writes:

Why "mr. reasonable" won't cut it...;

I think in this case, fugu has encountered Murphy's Law (whereby anything that can go wrong will eventually, unless acted upon by an outside force).

Diplomatic folks talk of that "special relationship" China has with North Korea and I can't help but think there's some smart Chinese folks who would say that the relationship isn't working out for them and in fact threatens multiple aspects of China's long term development.

Aside from all the economic and physical threats present and accounted for, China's leaders have a unique choice as "how best to present China to the world" in resolving this crisis they helped to create, doing the right thing by the North Korean people in the process, as well as themselves by eliminating the threat posed by an unstable regime who's militaristic bent goes 180 degrees opposed to peace and stability for all the nations of the world. Simply because China enabled North Korea to do so over many years. It won't be easy but it is the best way to end the problem...

'Lil Kim & son can sail off into the sunset on a luxury cruise with all the scotch they can drink for all I care, so long as they take "early retirement" gracefully without a shot fired.

There comes a point of departure from diplomacy when the talking is done, or simply fruitless to pursue in a given status quo.

Seems we've reached that inflection point now that 6 party talks are desired like your average bit of road pizza on a hot day.

I don't think it's so much a problem of "buying the same horse twice" as it is the one we bought died before it could be saddled.

oh well...what did folks expect from ethical infants anyway?

Unless folks are willing to engage in some blunt trauma diplomacy, it's going to be like talkin' to a wall.

Change tends to be somewhat traumatic anyway and folks are going to have to be real blunt in explaining the options.

A sailor abord the Abraham Lincoln asked Sec. Gates if they'd be heading to Korea in the forseable future..."I don't think so." was the response.

OK, I'll gladly take it on faith that the Sec. has a better idea than I do if they're going or not.

EJ

palgye

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South Korea

December 9, 2010

Palgye in South Korea writes:

Help to Japan Democratic Party

Democratic Party of Japan's approval ratings so low, seems to have difficulty.

South Korea's opposition and the fact that liberals, too difficult, but when I try to access difficult to maintain the gap somehow.

palgye

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South Korea

December 12, 2010

Palgye in South Korea writes:

In Japan, active support for Japanese Prime Minister, you need to think. In Iran, accused of adultery by stoning for a woman to stop the milestone occurs, and South Korea that were almost certain that Turkey's nuclear power plants in Japan and the access order is canceled, is underway.

The point is, if I power and money involved in building nuclear plants in Turkey and I think I want to make money that there is a need to talk. I'd like to earn money and you enjoy it. The choice in consultation with where you ...

Support for Japan to think, very fast.

As laugh, think, without fault of their own, do not want to force the conclusion that this situation occurs, you think.

Claudine C.

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China

December 12, 2010

Claudine C. in China writes:

This meeting focuses on implementing prosperity and stability and strengthens the relationship between this three countries.

palgye

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South Korea

December 13, 2010

Palgye in South Korea writes:

Rights of Migrant Workers in Korea, three ways of looking at

1. Foreign workers to keep working hard and good to laws.

2. Bangladesh is 2.40 versus a 17 year-old high school girl was murdered because of calls .... so where ingwondancheran congestion charge Police called to the job .... rapnida attack police said they're hunting a human being ....... what not to arrest criminal aliens ... I think the crazy ..

3. I was working a little bit of money, illegal aliens are attracted to, so that even passing contact with South Korea and shy woman reported the body harness that does not even know the proper actions are illegal foreign workers ...

And, as illegal foreign workers, making them a vice president of South Korea to protect them and damaging to domestic human rights organizations (Human Rights organizations are performing the necessary odd)

Most of their work hard, stick together, not even be where I think.

Organized crime groups to come to another country and do not need protection to kill ...

In South Korea's Gyeonggi Province, since foreign workers do not go to her house the night ......

palgye

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South Korea

December 14, 2010

Palgye in South Korea writes:

To Mother? Sorry to bother you. However, keep in Libya, beating the cotton.

P.S. We oppose China's economic contraction, but the grand axis of the sudden emergence of the global financial markets are also opposed. I think a lot of trouble yet is hidden. The difficulty of hiding ..